The Liberian Government of President Charles Taylor is urging the people of Monrovia to return to life as normal following the battle between the army and rebels.
| "So grab your shootin' arns..." |
It has called for shops and businesses in the capital to re-open and children to return to school. Monrovia is now completely back under government control. But while the fighting in the city ended last week, the war goes on in the countryside. The BBC's Paul Welsh, in Monrovia, says there is still nervousness in the city and a fear that the rebels may return. Some roadside stalls and a few businesses have already begun trading again, but the city is unlikely to return to normal quickly. Tens of thousands of people are still living rough, afraid to return to their homes. The schools the president wants re-opened are temporary homes to thousands of people. Mediators at Liberian peace talks being held in Ghana say they are confident that a ceasefire will be signed Monday, but there is still doubt about whether this will happen.
| "What? Nobody brought a pen? How we gonna sign if nobody brought a pen? How 'bout a pencil? Crayon?" |
The rebels have been dropping and then reinstating a demand that Mr Taylor must leave office first. The president says he has instructed his soldiers to continue to fight the rebels until a ceasefire is actually signed.
| And after, for that matter... |
"I'm the president. I give the orders. If the orders are to cease fire they will. We don't have a ceasefire signed yet," he said.
| "I am the president. What I say goes, dammit!" |
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